-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
post-traumatic stress disorder
noun
: a psychological reaction occurring after experiencing a highly stressing event (such as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event
—abbreviation PTSD
called also post-traumatic stress syndrome
Examples of post-traumatic stress disorder in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That includes people on the autism spectrum, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and elders with dementia.
—Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Mar. 2023
While recovering from his wounds, he’s met people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
—Manuel Roig-Franzia, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2023
The research team was led by Alexander Niculescu, professor of psychiatry at Indiana University, who has already developed similar tests for mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2023
Australia's new rules allow MDMA to be prescribed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psilocybin to be prescribed for treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
—Dr. Nicholas Nissen, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for post-traumatic stress disorder
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1980, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of post-traumatic stress disorder was
in 1980
Dictionary Entries Near post-traumatic stress disorder
Cite this Entry
“Post-traumatic stress disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/post-traumatic%20stress%20disorder. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
post–traumatic stress disorder
noun
post–trau·mat·ic stress disorder
ˌpōs(t)-trə-ˈmat-ik,
-trȯ-,
-trau̇-
: a psychological reaction occurring after a highly stressful experience (as military combat) that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares
Medical Definition
post-traumatic stress disorder
noun
: a psychological reaction that occurs after experiencing a highly stressing event (as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) outside the range of normal human experience and that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event
—abbreviation PTSD
called also delayed-stress disorder, delayed-stress syndrome, post-traumatic stress syndrome
compare combat fatigueMore from Merriam-Webster on post-traumatic stress disorder
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about post-traumatic stress disorder
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share